Rovers named top away fan experience for Sky Bet League One

Rovers have been named the top club for away fan experience in Sky Bet League One.

Preston North End have been named top for the Championship while Exeter City are top for League Two with all three club’s recognised as offering the best away days in the EFL this season.

The EFL Away Fan Experience Campaign measures the experiences of genuine away fans, gathered from visits spanning across all 72 EFL Clubs, in order to recognise the top performers in each division.

Fans are asked to report back on a number of touchpoints ranging from information and first impressions; to quality of refreshments and the inside the stadium experience. The feedback assists Clubs in their ongoing efforts to enhance the matchday experience and levels of engagement for visiting fans across the EFL.

Across this season’s visits many Clubs received praise for the quality of staff engagement and stewarding, pre-match SLO interaction, ability to enjoy mixed fanzones and refreshment facilities, as well as the atmosphere and unrestricted views on offer once inside the stadium.

Rovers received significant praise for their away supporters’ family zone, and were commended for having a genuine understanding of travelling fans, and staff being accommodating and engaging throughout the matchday experience.

In recognising the awards, Shaun Harvey, EFL Chief Executive, said: “The atmosphere and friendly rivalries created by those fans travelling up and down the country to support their Club undoubtedly enhances the matchday experience for all supporters.

“It’s that passion, tribalism and wanting to play a tangible part in the outcome that really sets football apart from other sports and we are proud that the away fan experience continues to grow from strength to strength across the whole of the EFL.

“For the third consecutive season we have seen over 1.5million away-day match tickets sold. That only further emphasises the fantastic work EFL Clubs are doing, week in, week out, to continually attract significant numbers of supporters through turnstiles.”

The Football Supporters’ Federation have collaborated with the EFL in researching and supporting the work around the Away Fan Experience Campaign, and Deputy Chief Executive David Rose is keen to pay tribute to those supporters who passionately follow their Club week-in-week-out, but also the Clubs for continually providing a positive matchday experience.

He said: "The FSF welcome anything that encourages clubs to focus on how they treat away fans and are delighted the EFL have once again recognised the efforts of those clubs that go the extra mile.

“We hope that by shining a light on these great examples that more clubs will be inspired to provide a welcoming experience for some of football's most committed supporters."

Get behind the boys as they travel to Charlton Athletic on Friday May 17 - tickets are available from the Club Doncaster Box Office and can be purchased online any time until Thursday. Click here to get your tickets.